Galician: no, because we are not unionized (yet)... That is why I am calling the union people tomorrow. Perhaps if we can get an organization drive under way soon (before the news about the outsourcing becomes official) we will have a stronger foothold.

One thing that's interesting about Japanese labour law, is that you do not need to organize an entire workplace to be unionized. It is sufficient for even 1 employee to be member of a union and that employee, under law, has the right to demand collective bargaining.

My goal will be to set up a local here in our city. We have many potential members, even outside our own school district, who are currently unrepresented. If the English teachers here banded together, we could have a fairly strong voice. As it stands now, we have nothing.